Wall-mounted washing machine

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a wall-mounted washing machine capable of preventing a housing from being deformed and discolored by hot air of a drying device. The washing machine, including: a tub; a drying device including: a fan configured to blow air; a hot air supply duct coupled to the fan and configured to guide air blown from the fan into the tub; a drying heater disposed inside the hot air supply duct and configured to heat air of the hot air supply duct; and a hot air discharge duct coupled to the tub and configured to guide air passing through the tub to the fan to dehumidify air passing through the tub, wherein the hot air supply duct comprises a heat dissipation plate disposed on an outer surface of the hot air supply duct and configured to restrict heat from being transferred to a housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims priority from Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2017-0076017, filed on Jun. 15, 2017, the disclosureof which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference for allpurposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a wall-mounted washing machine.

BACKGROUND

In general, a wall-mounted washing machine is manufactured so that itcan be installed on a wall in a narrow space, for instance.

A typical wall-mounted washing machine includes a cabinet, a tub movablydisposed within the cabinet and configured to store washing water, adrum rotatably installed in the tub and configured to accommodatewashing items, a drive unit configured to supply power to the drum, awater supply device configured to supply the washing water into the tub,and a water drain device configured to drain the washing water from thetub to the outside of the cabinet.

In the wall-mounted washing machine, if a washing operation is startedafter a user puts washing items into the drum, the washing water issupplied into the tub and the drum by the operation of the water supplydevice. The drum is rotated by the drive unit to perform a washingoperation. At the end of washing, the washing water contained in the tuband the drum is drained to the outside of the cabinet through the waterdrain device by the operation of the water drain device.

In recent years, there is a trend that the wall-mounted washing machineis provided with a drying device for user convenience. When the dryingdevice is operated, a process of drying the washed items proceeds. Thisprovides an advantage in that a user can collect the washing items whichare dried.

In general, the drying device is configured to dry washing items byintroducing a hot dry air (hot air) heated by a drying heater into thetub. In this case, there can be a problem in that the housing of thewashing machine may become deformed or discolored by application of heatgenerated by the drying device.

Accordingly, a demand exists for a drying device capable of preventingdeformation and discoloration of the housing of a wall-mounted washingmachine.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a wall-mounted washingmachine capable of preventing a housing from being deformed anddiscolored by hot air from a drying device.

In accordance with an aspect, there is provided a wall-mounted washingmachine, comprising: a tub; and a drying device, wherein the dryingdevice includes a fan coupled to the tub and configured to blow air, ahot air supply duct connected to the fan and configured to guide the airblown from the fan into the tub, a drying heater provided inside the hotair supply duct and configured to heat air introduced into the hot airsupply duct, and a hot air discharge duct connected to the tub andconfigured to guide air passing through the tub toward the fan todehumidify the air passing through the tub, the hot air supply ductincludes a heat dissipation plate provided on an outer surface of thehot air supply duct to prevent heat generated in the drying heater frombeing directly transferred to a housing of the wall-mounted washingmachine.

In the wall-mounted washing machine, the hot air supply duct furtherincludes an extension portion connected to the fan at one end andextending along an upper surface of the tub at the other end, and a bentportion bent downward from the other end of the extension portion towarda front surface of the tub, and wherein the heat dissipation plate iscoupled to an outer surface of the bent portion.

In the wall-mounted washing machine, the heat dissipation plate may befastened to the outer surface of the bent portion by a fastening member,and wherein a fastening member insertion portion protruding from thebent portion is formed in the bent portion so that the fastening memberis inserted into the fastening member insertion portion.

In the wall-mounted washing machine, the fastening member insertionportion includes a boss portion protruding from the outer surface of thebent portion, the boss portion having a protruding end portion fitted tothe heat dissipation plate and a hollow portion into which the fasteningmember is inserted; and a support portion protruding from an outercircumferential surface of the boss portion and configured to support aninner surface of the heat dissipation plate.

In the wall-mounted washing machine, the support portion includes aplurality of support portions provided along the outer circumferentialsurface of the boss portion.

In the washing machine, the drying heater is disposed inside theextension portion.

The wall-mounted washing machine may further comprise a rear panelconfigured to support the tub and capable of being hung on a wallsurface; a drum rotatably installed inside the tub and configured toaccommodate washing items; and a tub front panel coupled to a frontsurface of the tub.

In the wall-mounted washing machine, the drying device is configured tocommunicate with a front upper portion of the tub front panel and a rearlower portion of the tub.

In the wall-mounted washing machine, an end portion of the hot airsupply duct on the side of the tub front panel is connected to the frontupper portion of the tub front panel, and an end portion of the hot airdischarge duct on the side of the tub is connected to the rear lowerportion of the tub.

In the wall-mounted washing machine, when the fan is operated, air isheated by the drying heater while moving along the hot air supply ductand is introduced into the tub through the tub front panel, and the airpassing through the tub is cooled and dehumidified by the condensedwater while moving along the hot air discharge duct and is introducedinto the fan.

In the wall-mounted washing machine, at least one vent hole forcirculating the air is formed in the rear panel.

In the wall-mounted washing machine, a plurality of ribs is provided ona rear surface of the rear panel, and end portions of the ribs are cutaway to form air circulation grooves.

The wall-mounted washing machine according to one embodiment of thepresent disclosure can prevent a housing from being deformed anddiscolored by hot air of a drying device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic front perspective view showing a wall-mountedwashing machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic rear perspective view showing the wall-mountedwashing machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the wall-mountedwashing machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a schematic rear view showing the wall-mounted washing machineaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view showing a state in which thewall-mounted washing machine according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure is installed on a wall surface.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a rear panel and a tubaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7A is a schematic perspective view showing the rear panel and thetub according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, which areviewed at another angle, and FIG. 7B is a schematic perspective viewshowing a state in which a second duct formation member of a hot airdischarge duct of a drying device shown in FIG. 7A is removed.

FIG. 8 is a schematic front view of the rear panel and the tub shown inFIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of the rear panel and the tub shown inFIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a schematic right side view of the rear panel and the tubshown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 11 is a schematic left side view of the rear panel and the tubshown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view showing a drying deviceaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a heatdissipation plate is removed from the drying device shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a schematic sectional view taken along line B-B′ in FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a schematic front view showing the drying device according toone embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a schematic sectional view taken along line A-A′ in FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. The illustrativeembodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claimsare not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, andother changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe subject matter presented here.

One or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which one or more exemplary embodiments of the disclosurecan be easily determined by those skilled in the art. As those skilledin the art will realize, the described exemplary embodiments may bemodified in various different ways, all without departing from thespirit or scope of the present disclosure, which is not limited to theexemplary embodiments described herein.

It is noted that the drawings are schematic and are not necessarilyillustrated to scale. Relative sizes and proportions of parts in thedrawings may be exaggerated or reduced in size, and a predetermined sizeis merely exemplary and not limiting. The same reference numeralsdesignate the same structures, elements, or parts illustrated in two ormore drawings in order to exhibit similar characteristics.

The exemplary drawings of the present disclosure illustrate idealexemplary embodiments of the present disclosure in more detail. As aresult, various modifications of the drawings are expected. Accordingly,the exemplary embodiments are not limited to a specific form of theillustrated region, and for example, may include modification of formdue to manufacturing.

Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detailwith reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic front perspective view showing a wall-mountedwashing machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 2 is a schematic rear perspective view showing the wall-mountedwashing machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the wall-mounted washing machine 1000according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a washingmachine that can be hung on or fixed to a wall surface W and capable ofcarrying out a washing operation. The wall-mounted washing machine 1000may include a housing 1060 forming an outer shell, and a rear panel 1010coupled to a rear surface of the housing 1060 and hung on or fixed tothe wall surface W. The housing 1060 may include a side cover 1061forming a side surface of the wall-mounted washing machine 1000, a frontcover 1062 forming a front surface of the wall-mounted washing machine1000, and a door 1063 rotatably coupled to the front cover 1062. A usermay open the door 1063 and may put washing items into the wall-mountedwashing machine 1000 or may remove the washing items from thewall-mounted washing machine 1000. Hereinafter, the detailedconfiguration of the wall-mounted washing machine 1000 according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIGS. 3 to 11.

FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the wall-mountedwashing machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 4 is a schematic rear view showing the wall-mounted washing machineaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is aschematic sectional view showing a state in which the wall-mountedwashing machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure isinstalled on a wall surface. FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective viewshowing a rear panel and a tub according to one embodiment of thepresent disclosure. FIG. 7A is a schematic perspective view showing therear panel and the tub according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure, which are viewed at another angle, and FIG. 7B is aschematic perspective view showing a state in which a second ductformation member of a hot air discharge duct of a drying device shown inFIG. 7A is detached. FIG. 8 is a schematic front view of the rear paneland the tub shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of the rearpanel and the tub shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 10 is a schematic right sideview of the rear panel and the tub shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 11 is aschematic left side view of the rear panel and the tub shown in FIG. 6.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 11, the wall-mounted washing machine 1000according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a rearpanel 1010 meant to be hung on a wall surface, a tub 1020 configured tostore washing water and supported by the rear panel 1010, a drum 1030rotatably installed inside the tub 1020 and configured to accommodatewashing items, a drying device 1040 coupled to an outer surface of thetub 1020 and configured to dry the washing objects, a drive unit 1050configured to supply power for rotating the drum 1030, and a housing1060 coupled to the rear panel 1010 and configured to form an outershell of the wall-mounted washing machine 1000.

The rear panel 1010 may be hung on the wall surface W. For example, therear panel 1010 may be hung on the wall surface W by separate fasteningmembers 1011 a. To this end, through-holes 1011 penetrating the rearpanel 1010 may be formed in the rear panel 1010 so that the fasteningmembers 1011 a can be inserted into the through-holes 1011. A method ofhanging the rear panel 1010 on the wall surface W will now be brieflydescribed. A user first installs the fastening members 1011 a on thewall surface W and fits shock-absorbing members 1011 c to the fasteningmembers 1011 a for reducing shock and vibration. Thereafter, the userhangs the rear panel 1010 on the wall surface W so that the fasteningmembers 1011 a are inserted into the through-holes 1011 of the rearpanel 1010. Subsequently, nut members 1011 b are coupled to thefastening members 1011 a protruding forward from the rear panel 1010 viathe through-holes 1011, whereby the rear panel 1010 can be hung on thewall surface W.

Next, a mounting groove portion 1012 may be formed on the rear surfaceof the rear panel 1010 so that a space is formed between the rear panel1010 and the wall surface W. The mounting groove portion 1012 is formedto make sure that the drive unit 1050 (to be described later) can becoupled to the rear panel 1010 without interfering with the wafer W. Themounting groove portion 1012 may be formed by depressing the rearsurface of the rear panel 1010 at a predetermined depth.

At least one vent hole 1013 may be formed in the rear panel 1010. Forexample, a plurality of vent holes 1013 penetrating the rear panel 1010may be formed in the upper portion of the rear panel 1010. The ventholes 1013 allow air existing in the space surrounded by the rear panel1010 and the housing 1060 to be discharged to the outside, therebypreventing air existing inside the wall-mounted washing machine 1000from being heated. In the drawings, there is shown only a configurationin which a plurality of vent holes 1013 is formed in a rectangular shapein the upper portion of the rear panel 1010. However, this configurationis exemplary and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Thepositions and shapes of the vent holes may be variously changed in orderto assure smooth discharge of the air.

A plurality of ribs 1014 may be provided on the rear surface of the rearpanel 1010. The ribs 1014 may protrude from the rear surface of the rearpanel 1010 in order to enhance the rigidity of the rear panel 1010. Inthis case, the end portions of the ribs 1014 may be partially cut awayto form air circulation grooves 1014 a. Due to the existence of the aircirculation grooves 1014 a, the air passing through the vent holes 1013may be discharged to the outside.

The tub 1020 may be provided on the front side of the rear panel 1010.In this regard, the tub 1020 may be simultaneously injection-molded withthe rear panel 1010 and may be integrally formed with the rear panel1010. Alternatively, the tub 1020 may be manufactured as a separatemember and, then, may be coupled to the rear panel 1010.

A water supply device 1022 and a water drain device 1023 may beconnected to the tub 1020. For example, the water supply device 1022 maybe connected to the upper portion of the tub 1020, and the water draindevice 1023 may be connected to the lower portion of the tub 1020.However, the connection configurations of the water supply device 1022and the water drain device 1023 may be replaced by various connectionconfigurations that are well known in the art.

The water supply device 1022 may be connected to an external watersupply source. When a user operates an operation unit 1062 a to carryout a washing operation, the water supply device 1022 may supply washingwater into the tub 1020. The washing water supplied to the tub 1020 mayenter the drum 1030 via washing water introduction holes 1030 a formedon the outer surface of the drum 1030.

When the washing operation is completed, the washing water may bedrained to the outside via the water drain device 1023 installed underthe tub 1020.

The drum 1030 may be rotatably coupled to the inside of the tub 1020.For example, a driving shaft 1031 may be connected to the drum 1030. Thedriving shaft 1031 may be connected to the drive unit 1050 disposed onthe rear surface of the rear panel 1010 so that the driving shaft 1031can receive power from the drive unit 1050.

The drive unit 1050 may be coupled to the rear surface of the rear panel1010 in order to rotate the drum 1030. In this regard, the drive unit1050 may be coupled to the mounting groove portion 1012 of the rearpanel 1010. The mounting groove portion 1012 may be formed to bedepressed by a predetermined depth from the rear surface of the rearpanel 1010. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent interference betweenthe drive unit 1050 and the wall surface W even when the wall-mountedwashing machine 1000 is installed on the wall surface W.

As an example, the drive unit 1050 may include a motor 1051 providedwith a rotating shaft 1051 a and configured to supply power, a drivingwheel 1052 connected to the driving shaft 1031, and a belt 1053connected to the rotating shaft 1051 a and the driving wheel 1052 totransmit the power of the motor 1051 to the driving wheel 1052. Thus,when the motor 1051 rotates, the rotating shaft 1051 a of the motor 1051may rotate the belt 1053, whereby the driving wheel 1052 may be rotatedto rotate the drum 1030.

Washing items may be accommodated inside the drum 1030. One or morewashing water introduction holes 1030 a may be formed on the outersurface of the drum 1030. Thus, the washing water supplied to the tub1020 may be introduced into the drum 1030 via the washing waterintroduction holes 1030 a to wash the washing items.

Reinforcing ribs 1021 may be provided in the rear portion of the tub1020 where the tub 1020 and the rear panel 1010 make contact with eachother. The term “front” may refer to the direction extending from therear panel 1010 toward the tub 1020 on the basis of FIG. 3, namely thepositive X-axis direction. The term “rear” may refer to the directionextending from the tub 1020 toward the rear panel 1010 on the basis ofFIG. 3, namely the negative X-axis direction.

The reinforcing ribs 1021 may be formed along the outer circumferentialsurface of the rear portion of the tub 1020 to protrude radiallyoutward. The reinforcing ribs 1021 may include first reinforcing ribs1021 a extending in the circumferential direction of the tub 1020 andsecond reinforcing ribs 1021 b configured to connect the rear surfacesof the first reinforcing ribs 1021 a and the front surface of the rearpanel 1010. In this regard, the second reinforcing ribs 1021 b may beformed on the outer circumferential surface of the tub 1020 to be spacedapart from one another in the circumferential direction. Some of thesecond reinforcing ribs 1021 b may be formed to extend toward the frontside of the tub 1020.

The reinforcing ribs 1021 may distribute the stresses that may beconcentrated on the portion where the tub 1020 and the rear panel 1010are coupled to each other. This makes it possible to prevent damage ofthe tub 1020 or separation of the tub 1020 from the rear panel 1010.

A tub front panel 1025 may be coupled to the front side of the tub 1020.The tub front panel 1025 may be coupled to the tub 1020 to form aninternal space in which the drum 1030 is disposed. A detour rib 1027 maybe provided in the lower portion of the tub front panel 1025. The detourrib 1027 may protrude frontward from the front surface of the tub frontpanel 1025. The transverse opposite end portions of the detour rib 1027may be bent downward to make curved surfaces. As used herein, the term“transverse” may refer to the left-right direction when the wall-mountedwashing machine 1000 is viewed from the front side, namely the Y-axisdirection of the basis of FIG. 3.

A hot water heater power supply unit 1028 a for supplying electric powerto a hot water heater 1028 may be disposed under the detour rib 1027.Thus, the detour rib 1027 may prevent any washing water flowing out fromthe interior of the wall-mounted washing machine 1000 from makingcontact with the hot water heater power supply unit 1028 a. In addition,an operation unit 1062 a coupled to the housing 1060 (to be describedlater) may be disposed under the detour rib 1027. The detour rib 1027may prevent the washing water from entering the operation unit 1062 a.

An opening 1025 a may be formed in the tub front panel 1025. A gasket1029 for sealing may be coupled to the opening 1025 a of the tub frontpanel 1025. In this case, the edge portion that forms the opening 1025 aof the tub front panel 1025 may be provided in a step-like shape inorder to increase the coupling force with the gasket 1029. The gasket1029 may seal a gap between the housing 1060 and the tub 1020 and mayprevent foreign materials from entering the space between the tub frontpanel 1025 and the drum 1030. The gasket 1029 is fitted to the opening1025 a of the tub front panel 1025. At least a part of the outercircumferential surface of the gasket 1029 may make selective contactwith the door 1063 to be described later, and the remaining part of theouter circumferential surface of the gasket 1029 may make close contactwith the opening 1025 a. For example, the gasket 1029 may have adiameter corresponding to the diameter of the opening 1025 a of the tubfront panel 1025. The gasket 1029 may be formed in a ring shape with thecentral portion thereof opened and may be made of a rubber material, forinstance.

A hot air introduction port 1025 b through which hot air discharged froma hot air supply duct 1043 of the drying device 1040 (to be describedlater) is introduced may be formed in the front upper portion of the tubfront panel 1025. The hot air introduced through the hot airintroduction port 1025 b may move toward the drum 1030 disposed insidethe tub 1020. Hereinafter, the detailed configuration of the dryingdevice 1040 provided in the wall-mounted washing machine 1000 accordingto one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described withreference to FIGS. 12 to 16.

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view showing a drying deviceaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is aschematic perspective view showing a state in which a heat dissipationplate is removed from the drying device shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 14 is aschematic sectional view taken along line B-B′ in FIG. 12. FIG. 15 is aschematic front view showing the drying device according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 16 is a schematic sectionalview taken along line A-A′ in FIG. 12.

Referring to FIGS. 12 to 16, the drying device 1040 for drying thewashing items may be provided on the outer surface of the tub 1020. Thedrying device 1040 is a device for drying the washing items by supplyinghot air into the tub 1020. The drying device 1040 may be provided tocommunicate with the front upper portion of the tub front panel 1025 andthe rear lower portion of the tub 1020.

The drying device 1040 may include a fan 1041 coupled to the upperportion of the tub 1020 and configured to blow air, a hot air supplyduct 1043 connected to the fan 1041 and configured to supply airintroduced from the fan 1041 into the tub 1020 through the hot airintroduction port 1025 b formed in the tub front panel 1025, a dryingheater 1045 provided inside the hot air supply duct 1043 and configuredto heat air introduced into the hot air supply duct 1043, and a hot airdischarge duct 1047 connected to the tub 1020 and configured to guideair passing through the tub 1020 toward the fan 1041 and to cool anddehumidify air passing through the tub 1020.

In the drying device 1040 provided in the wall-mounted washing machine1000 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the fan1041, the hot air supply duct 1043, the tub 1020 and the hot airdischarge duct 1047 may form a closed air circulation path. In otherwords, the drying device 1040 may perform a drying operation bycirculating the air existing inside the wall-mounted washing machine1000. That is to say, when the fan 1041 of the drying device 1040 isoperated, the air is heated into hot dry air by the drying heater 1045while passing through the hot air supply duct 1043. The hot dry air maybe introduced into the tub 1020 to dry the washing items accommodated inthe drum 1030. At this time, moisture is contained in the air existingin the tub 1020 as the washing items are dried. Air containing a largeamount of moisture is blown toward the hot air discharge duct 1047 bythe fan 1041 and is discharged to the outside.

The hot air supply duct 1043 may provide an air moving path byconnecting the fan 1041 and the tub 1020. One end portion of the hot airsupply duct 1043 is connected to the fan 1041. The hot air supply duct1043 may include an extension portion 1043 a connected at one end to thefan 1041 and extending along the upper surface of the tub 1020 at theother end, a bent portion 1043 b bent downward from the other endportion of the extension portion 1043 a toward the front surface of thetub 1020 and connected to the tub 1020, and a heat dissipation plate1043 c coupled to the outer surface of the bent portion 1043 b andconfigured to cool the bent portion 1043 b. In this case, the dryingheater 1045 may be disposed inside the extension portion 1043 a. Thus,the air blown by the fan 1041 may be heated while flowing along theextension portion 1043 a and may be introduced into the tub 1020 via thebent portion 1043 b.

In this regard, the housing 1060 of the wall-mounted washing machine1000 may be deformed or discolored by the heat and the hot air generatedduring the operation of the drying heater 1045. In order to prevent suchdeformation and discoloration, the hot air supply duct 1043 may includea heat dissipation plate 1043 c for cooling the hot air supply duct1043. The heat dissipation plate 1043 c may be made of a metallicmaterial and may be provided on the outer surface of the hot air supplyduct 1043. This makes it possible to prevent heat from the hot airsupply duct 1043 from being directly transferred to the housing 1060.

For example, the heat dissipation plate 1043 c may be fastened to theouter surface of the bent portion 1043 b by a fastening member 1043 e.To this end, a fastening member insertion portion 1043 d, into which thefastening member 1043 e is inserted, may be formed in the bent portion1043 b. As one example, the fastening member insertion portion 1043 dmay include: a boss portion 1043 d-1 protruding from the outer surfaceof the bent portion 1043 b, the boss portion 1043 d-1 having aprotruding end portion fitted to the heat dissipation plate 1043 c and ahollow portion into which the fastening member 1043 e is inserted; and asupport portion 1043 d-2 protruding from the outer circumferentialsurface of the boss portion 1043 d-1 and configured to support the innersurface of the heat dissipation plate 1043 c.

Thus, the heat dissipation plate 1043 c may be fastened to the bentportion 1043 b in a state in which the heat dissipation plate 1043 c isseated on a shoulder formed by the boss portion 1043 d-1 and the supportportion 1043 d-2. The heat dissipation plate 1043 c may be spaced apartfrom the outer surface of the bent portion 1043 b just as much as thelength of the support portion 1043 d-2. In order to stably support theheat dissipation plate 1043 c, there may be provided a plurality ofsupport portions 1043 d-2 along the outer circumferential surface of theboss portion 1043 d-1.

The heat dissipation plate 1043 c is provided to surround the entireouter surface of the bent portion 1043 b. Thus, the heat of the bentportion 1043 b is advantageously dissipated to the outside. This makesit possible to prevent the heat of the bent portion 1043 b from beingdirectly transferred to the housing 1060.

The hot air discharge duct 1047 provides a path through which the airdischarged from the tub 1020 moves. The hot air discharge duct 1047 maybe disposed on the outer surface of the tub 1020. For example, the hotair discharge duct 1047 may include a first duct formation member 1047 cdisposed on the outer circumferential surface of the tub 1020 and asecond duct formation member 1047 d coupled to the first duct formationmember 1047 c and configured to form a moving path of air passingthrough the tub 1020. That is to say, the second duct formation member1047 d may be coupled to the open one side of the first duct formationmember 1047 c and may form an air moving path.

In this case, the first duct formation member 1047 c and the second ductformation member 1047 d may be fitted to each other or may be coupled toeach other by a fusing method. For example, when the first ductformation member 1047 c and the second duct formation member 1047 d arefitted to each other, a fitting projection (not shown) may be formed inone of the rims of the first duct formation member 1047 c and the secondduct formation member 1047 d, and an insertion groove (not shown) may beformed in the other of the rims of the first duct formation member 1047c and the second duct formation member 1047 d. Thus, the first ductformation member 1047 c and the second duct formation member 1047 d maybe mechanically coupled to each other. In this case, a sealing member(not shown) may be interposed between the first duct formation member1047 c and the second duct formation member 1047 d, thereby preventingair leakage.

The first duct formation member 1047 c and the second duct formationmember 1047 d may be fused to each other. In other words, the first ductformation member 1047 c and the second duct formation member 1047 d maybe coupled to each other by applying heat to the end portion of thefirst duct formation member 1047 c and the end portion of the secondduct formation member 1047 d. Methods of fusing injection-moldedarticles are well-known in the art and any well known method can beused. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted herein.

A condensed water introduction port 1047 a (through which condensedwater is introduced) may be formed in the hot air discharge duct 1047. Aseparate connector 1047 f may be connected to the condensed waterintroduction port 1047 a. A nozzle, a hose and the like for supplyingthe condensed water may be connected to the connector 1047 f.

The condensed water (not shown) injected into the hot air discharge duct1047 through the condensed water introduction port 1047 a may becombined with the moisture existing in air passing through the hot airdischarge duct 1047. This makes it possible to remove the moistureexisting in the air. Accordingly, the air is cooled and dehumidifiedwhile passing through the hot air discharge duct 1047. In this state,the air may be re-introduced into the fan 1041.

As described above, the drying device 1040 provided in the wall-mountedwashing machine 1000 according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure may enhance the drying efficiency by advantageously supplyingair into the tub 1020 through the fan 1041 or efficiently dischargingthe air from the tub 1020.

At least one curved portion 1047 b (see FIG. 11) may be formed on onesurface of the hot air discharge duct 1047 opposed to the condensedwater introduction port 1047 a. The curved portion 1047 b may be formedto bulge toward the condensed water introduction port 1047 a. In thedrawings, there is shown one curved portion 1047 b having a generallyconvex shape. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Aplurality of curved portions 1047 b may be formed in a wave shape or thelike (see FIG. 10), for instance.

By forming the curved portion 1047 b on one surface of the hot airdischarge duct 1047 in this way, it is possible to increase the contactarea and the contact time of the condensed water with the air passingthrough the hot air discharge duct 1047.

In other words, the condensed water injected into the hot air dischargeduct 1047 through the condensed water introduction port 1047 a collideswith the curved portion 1047 b and then flows toward the lower portionof the hot air discharge duct 1047 along the curved portion 1047 b. Thisincreases the area and the time in which the condensed water flows alongthe inner surface of the hot air discharge duct 1047, whereby thecontact area and the contact time are with respect to the condensedwater with the air existing in the hot air discharge duct 1047.Consequently, the effect of dehumidifying and cooling the air introducedinto the fan 1041 is enhanced and the drying efficiency of the dryingdevice 1040 is increased.

The condensed water introduction port 1047 a may be formed such that thearea of the longitudinal cross section grows larger from the centralportion toward the opposite end portions. For example, the condensedwater introduction port 1047 a may be formed such that the length L2 ofthe end portion becomes larger than the length L1 of the central portion(see FIG. 16).

In addition, the condensed water introduction port 1047 a may be formedin a polygonal shape with the respective sides of the transverse crosssection protruding inward. For example, the transverse cross section ofthe condensed water introduction port 1047 a may be formed in a rhombicshape as a whole with the respective sides of a rectangle protrudinginward. As used herein, the term “longitudinal” may refer to the Y-axisdirection with respect to the basis of FIG. 3, namely the left-rightdirection when the wall-mounted washing machine 1000 is viewed from thefront side, and the term “transverse” may refer to the X-axis directionwith respect to the basis of FIG. 3, namely the front-rear directionwhen the wall-mounted washing machine 1000 is viewed from the frontside.

By forming the condensed water introduction port 1047 a as describedabove, the surface area of the injected condensed water increases. Thismakes it possible to increase the contact area of the condensed waterwith air flowing through the hot air discharge duct 1047.

A method of drying washing objects with the drying device 1040 will bebriefly described. When the washing operation is completed and a dryingoperation is performed by a user, the fan 1041 is operated. As air movesalong the hot air supply duct 1043 by the operation of the fan 1041, theair is heated to a high temperature by the drying heater 1045, wherebyhot air is generated. The hot air is sequentially introduced into thetub 1020 and the drum 1030 through the tub front panel 1025. The hot airdries the washing items by making contact with the washing items insidethe drum 1030. Thereafter, hot air used for drying the washing objectsis introduced into the hot air discharge duct 1047 through a hot airdischarge port 1024 formed in the rear lower portion of the tub 1020. Asdescribed above, the hot air is dehumidified by the condensed water andis re-introduced into the fan 1041. This process may be repeatedlyperformed to carry out the drying work.

In order to enhance the drying efficiency of the drying device 1040, oneend portion of the hot air supply duct 1043 may be connected to the fan1041. The other end portion of the hot air supply duct 1043, namely theend portion of the hot air supply duct 1043 on the side of the tub frontpanel 1025, to which the hot air is supplied, may be connected to thefront upper portion of the tub front panel 1025.

Furthermore, one end portion of the hot air discharge duct 1047 may beconnected to the fan 1041. The other end portion of the hot airdischarge duct 1047, namely the end portion of the hot air dischargeduct 1047 on the side of the tub 1020, through which the hot air isintroduced from the tub 1020 into the drying device 1040, may beconnected to the lower rear side of the side surface of the tub 1020. Inother words, the other end portion of the hot air supply duct 1043 maybe biased frontward on the basis of a centerline C1 shown in FIG. 9 andmay be connected to the tub front panel 1025 above a centerline C2 shownin FIG. 8. The other end portion of the hot air discharge duct 1047 maybe biased rearward on the side surface of the tub 1020 on the basis ofthe centerline C1 shown in FIG. 9 and may be connected to the tub 1020below the centerline C2 shown in FIG. 8.

By connecting the hot air supply duct 1043 and the hot air dischargeduct 1047 to the front upper portion of the tub 1020 and the lower rearside of the side surface of the tub 1020 as described above, hot air isintroduced from the hot air supply duct 1043 toward the front side ofthe tub 1020. After drying the washing items accommodated in the tub1020, hot air is discharged through the hot air discharge duct 1047 onthe rear side of the tub 1020. Thus, hot air supplied to the tub 1020through the drying device 1040 may be circulated through the interior ofthe drum 1030 as a whole. Consequently, it is possible to enhance thedrying efficiency of the washing items.

A water level detecting sensor 1070 may be coupled to the tub frontpanel 1025. The water level detecting sensor 1070 may be formed of, forexample, a pressure sensor. The water level detecting sensor 1070 may beconnected to a separate pipe branched from the water drain device 1023of the tub 1020 and may measure the internal pressure of the tub 1020,for instance. The water level detecting sensor 1070 may measure theamount of the washing water stored in the tub 1020 by sensing theinternal pressure of the tub 1020, for example.

As one example, the water level detecting sensor 1070 may be disposed inthe front upper portion of the tub front panel 1025. In this case, thewater level detecting sensor 1070 may be disposed more frontward thanthe drying device 1040 disposed above the tub 1020. More specifically,the fan 1041 constituting the drying device 1040 may be disposed morerearward than the water level detecting sensor 1070.

The water level detecting sensor 1070 is sensitive to heat because it isformed of electronic parts. In other words, when heat of a predeterminedtemperature or more is applied to the water level detecting sensor 1070,there is a possibility that the water level detecting sensor 1070 can beerroneously operated or damaged. Accordingly, it is important toproperly position the water level detecting sensor 1070 and the dryingdevice 1040 including the drying heater 1045 as a heat generating body.

In the wall-mounted washing machine 1000 according to one embodiment ofthe present disclosure, the water level detecting sensor 1070 may bedisposed more adjacent to the fan 1041 than the hot air supply duct 1043of the drying device 1040. In other words, the distance between thewater level detecting sensor 1070 and the fan 1041 may be shorter thanthe distance between water level detecting sensor 1070 and the hot airsupply duct 1043. In this regard, the distance between certain twomembers refers to the minimum distance between the two members. Whenviewed as a whole, the water level detecting sensor 1070 may be disposedto be position biased toward the hot air discharge duct 1047 of thedrying device 1040 on the basis of the drying device 1040.

During the operation of the drying device 1040, air passing through thefan 1041 of the drying device 1040 is moved along the hot air supplyduct 1043 and is heated by the drying heater 1045. Thereafter, airpassing through the tub 1020 and the drum 1030 is cooled anddehumidified by the condensed water while moving along the hot airdischarge duct 1047. Thus, the temperature of the air introduced intothe fan 1041 may be lowest among the temperatures of the air circulationlines of the drying device 1040. As a result, in the wall-mountedwashing machine 1000 according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure, overheating of the water level detecting sensor 1070 may beprevented by disposing the water level detecting sensor 1070 adjacent tothe fan 1041.

The housing 1060 may be coupled to the rear panel 1010. The housing 1060is a member coupled to the rear panel 1010 and configured to form anouter shell of the wall-mounted washing machine 1000. The housing 1060may include a side cover 1061 opened on the front and rear sides thereofand coupled to the rim of the rear panel 1010 on the rear side thereof,a front cover 1062 coupled to the open front side of the side cover 1061and provided with an opening 1062 b, and a door 1063 rotatably coupledto the front cover 1062 and configured to selectively close and open theopening 1062 b.

An operation unit 1062 a may be provided in the front cover 1062. Theoperation unit 1062 a is provided to enable a user to control thewall-mounted washing machine 1000. Buttons of the operation unit 1062 amay be exposed through the front cover 1062. The operation unit 1062 amay be entirely disposed under the detour rib 1027 formed in the tubfront panel 1025 described above. Thus, the washing water leaked fromthe interior of the wall-mounted washing machine 1000 may flow along thedetour rib 1027 without entering the operation unit 1062 a.

The door 1063 may be provided to open and close the opening 1062 b ofthe front cover 1062. For example, the door 1063 may be coupled to thefront cover 1062 via the door hinge 1063 a. A user may close or open thedoor 1063 using a handle of the door 1063. Alternatively, the door 1063may be an electronic door opened or closed in a one touch manner throughthe use of an operation button provided in the front cover 1062.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various embodiments ofthe present disclosure have been described herein for purposes ofillustration, and that various modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Theexemplary embodiments disclosed in the specification of the presentdisclosure do not limit the present disclosure. The scope of the presentdisclosure will be interpreted by the claims below, and it will beconstrued that all techniques within the scope equivalent thereto belongto the scope of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wall-mounted washing machine, comprising: atub; and a drying device comprising: a fan coupled to the tub andconfigured to blow air; a hot air supply duct coupled to the fan andconfigured to guide air blown from the fan into the tub; a drying heaterdisposed inside the hot air supply duct and configured to heat airintroduced into the hot air supply duct; and a hot air discharge ductcoupled to the tub and configured to guide air passing through the tubtoward the fan to dehumidify the air passing through the tub, whereinthe hot air supply duct comprises a heat dissipation plate disposed onan outer surface of the hot air supply duct and configured to restrictheat generated in the drying heater from being transferred to a housing.2. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the hot air supply ductfurther comprises: an extension portion coupled to the fan at one endand extending along an upper surface of the tub at the other end; and abent portion bent downward from the other end of the extension portiontoward a front surface of the tub, and wherein the heat dissipationplate is coupled to an outer surface of the bent portion.
 3. The washingmachine of claim 2, further comprising a fastening member fastening theheat dissipation plate to the outer surface of the bent portion, and afastening member insertion portion protruding from the bent portion,wherein the fastening member is inserted into the fastening memberinsertion portion.
 4. The washing machine of claim 3, wherein thefastening member insertion portion comprises: a boss portion protrudingfrom the outer surface of the bent portion, the boss portion comprising:a protruding end portion fitted to the heat dissipation plate and ahollow portion into which the fastening member is inserted; and asupport portion protruding from an outer circumferential surface of theboss portion and configured to support an inner surface of the heatdissipation plate.
 5. The washing machine of claim 4, wherein thesupport portion comprises a plurality of support portions disposed alongthe outer circumferential surface of the boss portion.
 6. The washingmachine of claim 2, wherein the drying heater is disposed inside theextension portion.
 7. The washing machine of claim 1, furthercomprising: a rear panel configured to support the tub and operable tobe installed on a wall surface; a drum disposed inside the tub andconfigured to accommodate washing items; and a tub front panel coupledto a front surface of the tub.
 8. The washing machine of claim 7,wherein the drying device is configured to communicate with a frontupper portion of the tub front panel and a rear lower portion of thetub.
 9. The washing machine of claim 7, wherein an end portion of thehot air supply duct on a side of the tub front panel is coupled to thefront upper portion of the tub front panel, and an end portion of thehot air discharge duct on the side of the tub is connected to the rearlower portion of the tub.
 10. The washing machine of claim 7, whereinwhen the fan is operated, air is heated by the drying heater whilemoving along the hot air supply duct and is introduced into the tubthrough the tub front panel, and wherein air passing through the tub iscooled and dehumidified by the condensed water while moving along thehot air discharge duct and is introduced to the fan.
 11. The washingmachine of claim 7, wherein at least one vent hole for circulating theair is formed in the rear panel.
 12. The washing machine of claim 7,further comprising a plurality of ribs disposed on a rear surface of therear panel, and wherein each end portions of the ribs are cut away toform air circulation grooves.
 13. A washing machine, comprising: a tub;and a drying device comprising: a fan configured to blow air; a hot airsupply duct coupled to the fan and configured to guide air blown fromthe fan into the tub; a drying heater disposed inside the hot air supplyduct and configured to heat air of the hot air supply duct; and a hotair discharge duct coupled to the tub and configured to guide airpassing through the tub to the fan to dehumidify air passing through thetub, wherein the hot air supply duct comprises a heat dissipation platedisposed on an outer surface of the hot air supply duct and configuredto restrict heat from being transferred to a housing.
 14. The washingmachine of claim 13, wherein the hot air supply duct further comprises:an extension portion coupled to the fan at one end and extending alongan upper surface of the tub at the other end; and a bent portion bentdownward from the other end of the extension portion toward a frontsurface of the tub, and wherein further the heat dissipation plate iscoupled to an outer surface of the bent portion.
 15. The washing machineof claim 14, further comprising a fastening member and wherein the heatdissipation plate is fastened to the outer surface of the bent portionby the fastening member, and a fastening member insertion portionprotruding from the bent portion is formed in the bent portion whereinthe fastening member is inserted into the fastening member insertionportion.
 16. The washing machine of claim 15, wherein the fasteningmember insertion portion comprises: a boss portion protruding from theouter surface of the bent portion, the boss portion comprising: aprotruding end portion fitted to the heat dissipation plate and a hollowportion into which the fastening member is inserted; and a supportportion protruding from an outer circumferential surface of the bossportion and configured to support an inner surface of the heatdissipation plate.
 17. The washing machine of claim 14, wherein thedrying heater is disposed inside the extension portion.
 18. The washingmachine of claim 13, further comprising: a rear panel configured tosupport the tub and operable to be installed on a wall surface; a drumdisposed inside the tub and configured to accommodate washing items; anda tub front panel coupled to a front surface of the tub.
 19. The washingmachine of claim 18, wherein the drying device is configured tocommunicate with a front upper portion of the tub front panel and a rearlower portion of the tub.
 20. The washing machine of claim 18, whereinwhen the fan is operated, air is heated by the drying heater whilemoving along the hot air supply duct and is introduced into the tubthrough the tub front panel, and wherein further air passing through thetub is cooled and dehumidified by the condensed water while moving alongthe hot air discharge duct and is introduced to the fan.